National commander leads contingent of Legion family leaders, state government officials as part of Springfield Post 32’s 83rd annual pilgrimage to Lincoln's tomb.
A divided country is also a country that is disrespecting President Lincoln’s legacy, National Commander Charles E. Schmidt suggested during remarks he made at Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield, Ill., on Feb. 12.
“‘A house divided cannot stand,’” Schmidt said, quoting the 16th president. “These words should be remembered by all of our elected officials of every political party in Washington and in states from coast to coast. Our nation can and must be united. We owe it to President Lincoln’s legacy.”
Schmidt led a contingent of American Legion family leaders and state government officials as part of Springfield Post 32’s 83rd annual pilgrimage to the tomb on Lincoln’s birthday. Other guest speakers included American Legion Auxiliary National President Mary E. Davis, Sons of The American Legion National Commander Jeff Frain, Illinois Department Commander Cheri Stanton, Department President Luella Buske and Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander Phillip Shipley.
“In 1865 Lincoln understood something that rings true today – the importance not only of caring for those in battle but for their families as well,” Davis said. “Lincoln’s call to action, delivered over 150 years ago, is alive and well in the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of veterans, military and their families.”
Post 32 Legionnaire Bob Wesley, the Pilgrimage master of ceremony, used the gathering at the tomb as an opportunity to sum up Lincoln’s lasting legacy. “Today we celebrate Mr. Lincoln’s birthday and remember his place in building America,” he said. “Mr. Lincoln freed millions from slavery, thus purging an ugly, cruel and inhumane blot from our national character. And, he preserved the union. It is fitting that we should today remember that the nation he did so much to save is still the land of the free, the home of the brave, and freedom’s beacon in a troubled world.”
At a luncheon held at the Springfield Wyndham Hotel following the pilgrimage, Schmidt continued to compare Lincoln’s presidency to issues facing America today. “Can you imagine if Twitter existed during the 1860s?” Schmidt asked. “Do you think the hashtag #NotMyPresident would have been trending? It certainly would have been popular in the South.”
Schmidt said Lincoln’s inspirational words would have succeeded in the age of social media. “Lincoln was so eloquent and succinct that he would have excelled at delivering inspirational messages in 140 characters or less: ‘Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.’ Even that would fit in a tweet!” he said.
But Schmidt’s remarks took a much more somber turn when he addressed the conduct of many protestors. “Think about a house divided,” he said. “What could be more divisive than desecrating the American flag? What could be more hateful and disrespectful to the Union that President Lincoln fought so hard to preserve and so many died for? That is why The American Legion unequivocally, unapologetically and unwaveringly calls upon the United States Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to protect the flag from desecration.”
Schmidt pointed to the actions of an Iowa Federal Express driver defending the flag from a group of protestors as evidence that desecration is on the upswing. “The incident, which was captured on a video that has circulated all over the Internet, disproves the lie that we are often told by opponents of the amendment – the denial that flag desecration ever happens,” he said. “I say to those deniers, Google it and you will see thousands of photos and videos of demonstrators burning the symbol of our nation in states throughout the country.”
Past National Commander and Illinois Department Adjutant Marty Conatser reinforced the call for national unity. “We need to get back together as a country, and maybe The American Legion family can be a catalyst for that,” he said.
Just as a strong military was needed to defeat the Confederacy, The American Legion’s national defense pillar remains a sound strategy today, Schmidt said. “Is there anybody in this room who thinks peace is possible with ISIS?” Schmidt asked. “Is there any room for compromise with an ideology that believes in stoning women, beheading innocent civilians and requiring strict adherence to their warped version of religion?”
Schmidt also touched upon The American Legion’s advocacy for veterans and their families. “President Lincoln gave us the immortal words, ‘To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.’ Of course, with the times we have expanded the commitment to also include caring for her who shall have borne the battle and for her widower and her orphan. It is a commitment that The American Legion takes very seriously. It is one of the primary reasons that we exist.”
- Honor & Remembrance